A source close to the show told The Sun that 'Brian goes down well with the viewers. They love his light-hearted banter. Peter has done a brilliant job in developing the character'.

“Most of the staff thought his position was as safe as houses. So when the news came out of the blue that he was getting the chop, people were shocked,” the source added.

“Peter will be missed by lots of people around here. And the atmosphere on set has become very tense because everyone is wondering who will be next.” [The Sun]

Also in today's press

Denise Welch has revealed that she is an alcoholic. The former 'Loose Women' host has come clean following her fiancé Lincoln Townley's recent heart attack scare. “We used to drink every night and I got to a point where waking up with a hangover felt normal. I’d forgotten what it was like to have a clear head,” she said. “People think an alcoholic is someone who hides bottles and has vodka for breakfast but there are different kinds of alcoholics. When you become powerless over alcohol after one drink, when you lose days, weeks and years to it, and when you hurt those you love through drinking, you’re an alcoholic, too.” [Sunday Mirror]

Sharon Osbourne has fuelled the rumours she's returning to 'The X Factor' after being snapped by photographers on a night out in London with Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh. [The Sun]

The 50th anniversary episode of 'Doctor Who' is to be directed by Nick Hurran. Hurran has previously directed the episodes 'The Girl Who Waited', 'The God Complex', 'Asylum of the Daleks' and 'The Angels Take Manhattan'. It was recently confirmed that the episode will also be filmed in 3D. [Digital Spy]